Bare Island to Maroubra via Henry Head

5 hrs

13 km One way

397 m

Hard track

CLOSEDThis walk is closed at the northern end as there is no safe access to Malabar Head, updates to come in time. Exploring the cliff line of northern Botany Bay, this walk has great views, both down at the water (Bare Island and Browns Rock) and up on the cliffs (the golf course). Make sure you allow time to walk around Bare Island and see the sites. Although in disrepair, the Coast Cemetery is also worth a little extra time.

Little Congwong Beach

that has been described as one of the most beautiful beach oases in Sydney. Little Congwong beach has also been used for over 40 years as an unofficial and secluded nude beach. If you see any offensive behaviour please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333000 or the Maroubra Police on 02 9349 9299. This beach is very popular on summer weekends and has limited shade in the afternoon. More info.

(0.23km) Eastern end of Congwong Beach → Int of Henry Head Track and Congwong Beach Servicetrail

, this walk follows the wide level track south, passing the bench seat (on the right). Then this walk continues to follow the track through dense coastal bush for about 70m, until finding a World War One fort

Henry Head

The Henry Head Battery is located on the northern side of the entrance to Botany Bay at Henry Head. The battery was constructed on an unfenced headland between 1892 and 1895 and operated until 1910 when it was closed down. The battery and observation posts was re-utilised during World War Two to defend against approaches to Botany Bay. The battery consisted of two disappearing guns, ammunition storage and observation posts. The underground bunker and tunnel complex consisted of vaulted ammunition storage rooms with double walls and ceilings. The doubling-up of walls and ceilings was a preventative measure meant to stop the walls from collapsing in the event of a direct hit. The battery is currently not in use. The white tower on the battery is the Endeavour Tower, not a lighthouse as such, but a red marker light nonetheless. More info.

. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.

Cape Banks

Cape Banks on the northern side of the entrance to Botany Bay, offers possibly the best view in Botany Bay National Park. From the unfenced cliff top, you can watch the power of the ocean as waves crash into the sandstone rock face below, or watch boats of all shapes and sizes, sail peacefully across the sheltered waters of the bay. If you are lucky, you can enjoy the spectacle of migrating Humpback and Southern Right whales reasonably close to shore, spouting and sometimes breaching as they make their way northward and southward in pods of three or four. The shipwreck of the SS Minmi can be seen at low tide, lying on rocks on the western side of Cape Banks. There are concrete foundations of buildings remaining on Cape Banks, from when World War Two servicemen were stationed there. More info.

, this walk follows the road gently uphill away from the ‘Westpac Helicopter’ sign and shed, passing a sealed car park (on the left). This walk continues to follow the road, with views (on the right) of the coastal cemetery

Coast Hospital Cemetery

The Coast Hospital Cemetery on the northern side of Botany Bay, was first established in the early 1880’s and now houses as many as 2000 graves. It serviced the Coast (Prince Henry) Hospital, originally a smallpox hospital, as people who died of smallpox were required to be buried at the hospital grounds. The hospital was built far enough from the city to provide quarantine, and for this reason, the hospital in time became an infectious deseases hospital, also treating patients with influenza, bubonic plague, typhoid fever and leprosy. Unfortunately, the cemetery has now fallen into disrepair and many of the grave sites are in poor condition .

(4.46km) Coast Hospital Cemetery → Cromwell Park

4.3 km

1 hr 21 mins

105m

-119m

Moderate track

Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads north along the management trail, directly away from the cemetery. The trail passes alongside St Michaels Golf Course, with the ocean to the right, and without fanfare, crosses into The Coast Golf Course, even crossing the fairway of the 5th hole. (Note: The golf clubs has given permission for non-members to be on the course, however this is on the condition that it is at one’s own risk.) This walk goes down to Little Bay Beach, crossing to the northern end and heading up the stairs.
The walk continues to the right (north), following the paths to navigate towards the coast through The Coast Golf Course, crossing some fairways with care. The walk then continues along the coast, skirting around the side of Randwick Golf Course, to come to the club house at the northern end of the course. This walk continues north on the footpath along Bay Pde, passing the boat launching area, and turning right into Cromwell Reserve. The walk continues, past the children’s playground and the beach, along the footpath, until coming to the car park on Fishermans Rd..

(8.77km) Cromwell Park → South Maroubra SLSC

4.3 km

1 hr 25 mins

139m

-143m

Moderate track

Turn right: From Cromwell Park car park, near the start of Fishermans Rd, this walk follows the footpath east along the road, keeping the water to the right. After approximately 200m, the walk comes to a small car park on the right, crossing to the far corner, near the water, where there is a small track leading onto the grass. (Alternately, the walk can head along the rockshelf at sea level, and after approximately 200m, take the track back up to the clifftop.)
The narrow bush track leads up along the cliffline, around the edge of Malabar headland (Note: there are many side tracks exploring Malabar Headland, with numerous World War II defence structures, and more than 280 endemic plant species as well as over 200 bird species). Following the headland inland, this track comes to an intersection with a wide sandy management trail. This walk heads to the right (keeping the ocean to the right) and soon comes to another intersection, taking the lower management trail.
This walk continues along the coast in this manner until the management trail fades away at the Anzac Rifle Range, which is shared with Sydney Model Aero Club. Passing some intersections, the service trail starts again at the northern end of the fields, and after approximately 80m, bends around to the left (not an intersection). The walk then follows the trail for approximately 200m before turning right sharply, heading downhill between the houses and the bushland. From the houses, this walk continues through a gap in the fencing, into Arthur Byrne Reserve. The walk crosses to the footpath, and heads down the hill to South Maroubra SLSC car park.

Maps for the Bare Island to Maroubra via Henry Head walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

7km of this walk has short steep hills and another 6km has gentle hills with occasional steps. The remaining (470m) is very steep.

Quality of track

10km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and another 1.9km follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining (1.3km) follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs

7km of this walk is clearly signposted and another 5km has directional signs at most intersection. The remaining (1.3km) has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required

7km of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience and another 5km requires some bushwalking experience. The remaining (1.3km) requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 12km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 1.3km is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

6km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) and another 6km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced). The remaining (1.3km) has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Bare Island to Maroubra via Henry Head walk.

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-botanybnp-bitmvhh
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

This walk starts in the Metropolitan weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.
http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_weather_danger.php?walkid=nsw-botanybnp-bitmvhh
Forecast snapshot